News & Statements

TORONTO, September 11, 2025 – Onder Deligoz, a journalist and writer from Turkey, has been chosen as the 2025 PEN Writer-in-Residence at George Brown College. His work at the college began in August and runs until April 2026.

As the resident, Deligoz will engage directly with students by visiting classrooms as a guest speaker, discussing issues of freedom of expression, human rights, and the importance of democracy. During his residency at the College, in between classroom visits, he will work on his debut poetry collection, A Mirror Reckoning.

Deligoz has worked as a reporter, editor, and editor-in-chief at national media outlets in Turkey. His reporting covered stories of human rights violations and unsolved political murders.

“In Turkey, my reporting often dealt with politics, human rights, and social justice,” Onder says. “While these were very difficult subjects, they taught me the importance of giving voice to those who are often silenced, and of telling stories that matter even when it’s risky. That experience shaped the way I approach writing today—it’s not just about reporting facts, but about listening deeply and helping others find the courage to share their own stories. I see that same spirit carrying into a residency, where I will support students in developing their voices with honesty and confidence.”

Now based in Toronto, Onder has continued his writing career while experimenting with different forms. He recently completed his MA in Creative and Critical Writing from the University of Gloucestershire, where he was mentored by Angela France. He’s a previous recipient of a PEN Canada-Humber College Writers in Exile scholarship (2018), during which he was mentored by Boris Fishman, as well as a long-term mentorship from Diaspora Dialogues, where he worked closely with David Layton. Onder is the author of two novels, Love After You Have Gone (2017) and Forbidden Voice (2023).

First introduced in 2004, the George Brown College PEN Writer-in-Residence has been a unique partnership between the two institutions. For over 20 years, the residency has welcomed exiled writers, journalists, playwrights and poets into College classrooms to share stories and perspectives. By sharing their stories, the Writer-in-Residence contributes to the College’s goals of inclusion and support for Canadian newcomers. Previous residents include Tala Motazedi, Shams Erfan, Aaron Berhane, and Luis Horacio Nájera.

“The PEN Writer-in-Residence program is a wonderful opportunity for our faculty and our students to engage with incredible writers from around the world who have, in the face of oppression and human rights violations, courageously fought for freedom of expression,” said Dean Susan Toews, Faculty of Community Services and Interdisciplinary Studies. “We’re thrilled to welcome Onder Deligoz into our community this year, and look forward to rich discussions and valuable learning opportunities – for both our students and our employees.”

“Debate, dialogue and international perspectives from writers like Onder have never been more needed,” said Ira Wells, President of PEN Canada, an organization that defends free expression and aids imperiled writers. “This longstanding partnership with George Brown College is particularly gratifying for PEN because it allows for conversations to happen between two groups on the frontlines of free expression: writers and students.”

Onder plans to design interactive workshops, readings, and collaborative sessions that support students in developing their voices while encouraging them to explore new perspectives.

“I see the residency as a two-way exchange,” says Onder. “It’s a chance to inspire, but also to grow as a writer and mentor through deep connection with the College community. I’m most looking forward to meaningful conversations with students and faculty, and being immersed in such a dynamic and diverse community will be a tremendous source of inspiration, feeding my own creativity. This residency is the ideal environment for me to complete my debut poetry collection, A Mirror Reckoning.”

About George Brown College
Toronto’s George Brown College is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples. George Brown prepares innovative, adaptable graduates with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing job market. With three campuses in the downtown core, the college blends theory with experiential learning, applied research, and entrepreneurship opportunities. George Brown offers 223 programs and 182 continuing education certificates/designations across a wide variety of professions to more than 29,800 full-time students and receives more than 64,400 continuing education registrations annually. Students can earn certificates, diplomas, graduate certificates, apprenticeships, and degrees. www.georgebrown.ca.

About PEN Canada
PEN Canada is a nonpartisan organization that celebrates literature, defends freedom of expression, and assists writers in peril at home and abroad. Based in Toronto, the English-language Canadian centre was founded in 1983 and is proud to be one of over 140 centres of PEN International.